Durango High Altitude

Travelers to Durango:

Be aware of high-altitude sickness which is marked by headaches, irritability, irrationality, nausea or vomiting. If you have these symptoms, get to a lower altitude as soon as possible. Drink plenty of water and eat foods high in carbohydrates. For acute cases, please consult a physician.

DURANGO Elevation - 6,512 feet above sea level.

Durango Mountain Resort:
Base Elevation: 8,793 ft./ 2,680 m

Summit Elevation: 10,822 ft./ 3,298.5 m

Silverton is 9,318 feet above sea level.

Visitors to Mesa Verde experience rugged terrain at an elevation of 7,000 to 8,000 feet (2,184m to 2,438m). Steep cliffs, deep canyons and narrow trails can be a danger to all visitors. Persons with heart or respiratory ailments may have breathing problems in the thin air at high altitude.

High altitude presents a set of problems that are not intuitive. Mountain air is typically very dry –thus people dehydrate faster- which can lead to altitude problems (e.g. headaches, dizziness, nausea, etc.), or exacerbate pre-existing medical problems. Hydrate consciously! Also, the “thinness” of the air in the mountains means that we breathe deeper and faster. This hastens dehydration, but can also lead to life-threatening altitude related illnesses. Don’t push yourself: if you begin feeling unusual, stop…evaluate…and descend! Finally, mountain weather is incredibly unpredictable: no matter how brief a trip you’re planning, be prepared for inclement weather. Educate yourself on lightning precautions.